President Trump welcomed 14 players from the Miracle on Ice hockey team to the stage of a recent rally, declaring “Tomorrow marks the 40 years since the United States men’s hockey team defeated then Soviet Union team in the 1980 Olympics.”
WATCH:
Per USAToday, members of the gold medal-winning “Miracle on Ice” squad, including team captain Mike Eruzione, appeared on stage at a Las Vegas rally Friday night for President Donald Trump wearing red hats emblazoned with Trump’s “Keep America Great” slogan.
As you can imagine, their decision to appear with Trump caused backlash on social media from ardent Trump critics.
Here is just a small sample of the raging vitriol directed at the heroic team.
Good job guys – you turned a nonpartisan feel good memory into a dumpster fire.
Good job guys – you turned a nonpartisan feel good memory into a dumpster fire.
— South Bend is smaller than ASU (@86_RSK) February 23, 2020
They made it about politics by showing up at a campaign rally. Don’t like the blow back, how about thinking before doing something stupid. All respect is now gone.
They made it about politics by showing up at a campaign rally. Don't like the blow back, how about thinking before doing something stupid. All respect is now gone.
— Tom Baker (@Shake_N_Bake690) February 23, 2020
You may as well stand there with swastika armbands. What a shame.
You may as well stand there with swastika armbands. What a shame.
— Alex Wild (@Myrmecos) February 23, 2020
These once honorable & admirable Americans have debased not only themselves, but also that which they purported to stand for. They bring SHAME to themselves and diminish their own actions decades ago.
These once honorable & admirable Americans have debased not only themselves, but also that which they purported to stand for. They bring SHAME to themselves and diminish their own actions decades ago.
— Trevor Allen (@tcallen07) February 23, 2020
I cannot express my disappointment strongly enough. For 40 years you have brought me joy, tonight deep sadness.
You can’t wear that red hat and say it is not political.
Congrats on helping the Russians.
I cannot express my disappointment strongly enough. For 40 years you have brought me joy, tonight deep sadness.
You can't wear that red hat and say it is not political.
Congrats on helping the Russians.
— Schnaxalot (@Schnaxalot) February 23, 2020
You’ve gone from heroes to national embarrassments
You've gone from heroes to national embarrassments
— Radical Moderate (@ModerateWill) February 23, 2020
After the wave of backlash, the team’s twitter account added a new comment:
To us, this is not about politics or choosing sides. This is about proudly representing the United States of America. Whether your beliefs are Democratic, Republican, Independent, etc. we support that and are proud to represent the USA. It is an honor and privilege!
https://twitter.com/1980MiracleTeam/status/1231325359091511296?s=20
This article first appeared on TheConservativeOpinion.com
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